Myanmar President Visits White House

President Thein Sein becomes the first Myanmar president to visit the White House in 47 years. This visit is considered to be a move towards the country’s restoration, as it has separated itself from the rest of the world for many years. Activists protest the president’s arrival because while he has led the country away from its tradition of military rule, he has also been unable to lead reform or stop ethnic violence within the country.

The visit is a symbolic one. President Obama made history in a similar way last year when he made a Presidential visit to the country. “President Thein Sein’s visit underscores President Obama’s commitment to supporting and assisting those governments that make the important decision to embrace reform,” the White House said of the visit.